Animal Research Facilities 2024 Schedule

What you will learn:
Participants will come away with a basic understanding of the terminology, concepts, processes, standards, numbers, types of equipment, and furniture (as applicable) involved in the planning and design of animal research labs and support space including related mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 

Who should attend:
This course is designed for those involved in the planning, design, construction, or operation of animal research laboratories including project managers, architects, facility engineers, construction engineers, facility managers, facility planners, biosafety professionals, EH&S personnel, veterinarians, and researchers employed at colleges and universities, medical facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, A/E/C firms, government health centers, and public health labs.

Space is limited and enrollment is subject to approval.

Cost:
$1,300 Fundamentals Course only
$1,100 with registration to the two-day conference immediately following
(Fees include course materials, continental breakfast refreshment breaks, and lunch)

A hosted beer and wine bar along with light snacks will be served.

Attendees may sign-in and pick up their registration materials here, or the next morning at the conference ballroom foyer.

Guests welcome.

See the full list of participating exhibitors and event hosts.

Demand for animal space is spiking now. When “new building” dreams are put on hold, what quick-turnaround options can deliver the capacity that expanding programs need? Ron Wilson and Duncan McIlvaine illustrate opportunities, decision making criteria, and tradeoffs for densification and capacity increase strategies at Penn State College of Medicine. They examine cascading impacts to consider, short-term and long-term solutions, pain points, and what is working. They detail space conversions, equipment and infrastructure requirements, design and operating considerations, and development of a strategic renovation plan.

Lean vivarium operations depend on engaged, enthusiastic, and efficiency-minded employees -- and many organizations took a big hit on that front during the pandemic. Here you’ll see how Massachusetts General Hospital is bouncing back, building morale, and returning to the business of improving vivarium space use and efficient workflows. Gerry Cronin and Steven LaMacchia set out findings from MGH and the Vivarium Operational Excellence Network for turning the tedium of husbandry into fun team-based activities, engaging front-line workers in daily problem solving, and navigating a multi-generational workforce. They chart the improvements over the last three years in terms of job satisfaction, productivity, and process improvement.

The newest NHP breeding/holding complex at Texas Biomedical Research Institute exemplifies the latest solutions for regulatory compliance, animal and worker welfare, space utilization, flexibility and operating efficiencies. Mike Merz and Blake Harrington discuss the highly collaborative undertaking that tapped the expertise of national project professionals, as well as the over 70 years of NHP experience on this Texas research campus. How did big issues such as the national shortage of animal models in testing diagnostics, therapies and vaccines translate into scope and budget decisions – all while new opportunities for innovation were being identified? They profile cutting-edge advances in enrichment and resiliency, as well as the ability to partner with outside organizations for research programs and operations funding.

Reception hosted by Siemens

(Guests welcome)

Courtesy of Tradeline

In 2023 Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Comparative Medicine experienced the most severe flooding events in the program’s history, prompting an immediate, multifaceted response to protect animals, staff, and the future of critical research endeavors. Renee Thompson and Mary Spencer deliver lessons learned and recommendations that will equip other organizations to prevent, prepare, mitigate, and respond efficiently to emergencies. They identify critical facility design elements that saved the day, and the equipment, storage, and swing space needs to plan for. They detail innovative processes, operational and administrative measures to put in place for disaster management and research impact mitigation.

This end-of-day session is where key ideas, new developments, and findings that have been revealed over the course of the entire two-day conference (including sessions you may have missed) get clarified, expanded upon, and affirmed or debated. This is also the opportunity to get answers from industry leaders and the entire audience to specific questions on key and challenging issues.